When sparks fly: The Great Pottery Throw Down

Here are some of Ceramic Review‘s highlights from the Throw Downepisode that focused on fiery vases, candlesticks and slip decoration;

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Image copyright Jessica Joslin

The main make this week saw the potters grappling with the complexities of raku firing.

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The seven remaining potters were tasked with creating ten identical vases each,
five of which would be raku fired later in the show.

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We saw some beautiful pieces of raku ceramics, including work by Tim Andrews.

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Image copyright Jessica Joslin

And CR is delighted to be sent further examples from the ceramics community.
This piece is by Jessica Joslin, a London-based potter.

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Time was of the essence as the contestants worked to shape their vases…

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And some makers buckled under the pressure of the identical brief.

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Meanwhile, Matthew created a striking slip design in the spot test…

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And the potters glazed their favourite five vases, ready to be fired.

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Then, in the throw down – a major, a rocker, a candlestick maker?

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Considering most of the potters hadn’t made candlesticks before, we were very impressed.

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And so, it was time for the fiery part of the show.

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The contestants rallied round each other during the raku challenge.

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And amidst the northern breeze…

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The vases were fired and buffed up, ready for judging.

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Whose pieces were your favourite?

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For us, Sandra’s stood out for their boldness and harmony of form.

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While Matthew’s glistening copper vases firmed him up as one to watch going forward.

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Sadly, James’ work lacked clarity of message, leading to him leaving.

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We already can’t wait for next time, when the potters have to try to become sculptors,
working on a whole new scale…

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As we watch them battle the heat once again, for the title of top potter.

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The Great Pottery Throw Down airs this autumn on Tuesdays on BBC2 at 9pm.Ceramic Review can be found live tweeting each Tuesday evening @ceramicreview. Inside our two latest issues we’ve featured both the judges and the pottery technicians from behind-the-scenes. Discover more here: ceramicreview.com/magazine